RULE OF THE ROAD 95
Most motor launches can be steered with sternway on them. They
are unlike a big steamer in this respect as the rudder of a small boat has
a greater turning effect than the ]fcopeller The stern of a big ship
invariably turns to port when going astern against the action of the
rudder when put hard over.
5. Running down stream with a strong ebb tide, describe how you
would bring the launch alongside a jetty situated on the left
bank of the river.
I would come down on the right bank as that is the side of the fairway
which will now be on my starboard side. On nearly reaching the jetty I
would alter course to turn the boat's head towards it as the boat would
be carried downstream when she got athwart the tide. I would then
approach the jetty head on to tide, and when abreast of it, slow down
the engine to stem the tide and sheer gently alongside.
MOTOR BOAT RULE OF THE ROAD.
(To be committed to memory)
ART. 18—When two steam vessels are meeting end on. or nearly
end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course
to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other. i
This Article only applies to cases where vessels are meeting end on,
or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve ri«k of collision, and
does not apply to two vessels which must, if both keep on their respective
courses, pass clear of each other.
The only cases to which it does apply are when each of the two
vessels is ?nd on to the other; in other words, to cases in which, by day,
each vessel sees the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line,
with her own; and, by night, to cases in which each vessel is in such
a position as to see both the side-lights of the other.
It does not apply, by day, to cases in which a vessel sees another
ahead crossing her own course; or, by night, to cases where the red light
of one vessel is opposed to the red light of the other, or where the green
light of one vessel is opposed to the green light of the other, or where
a red light without a green light, or a green light without a red light,
is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but
ahead.
ART. 19.—When two steam vessels are cr6ssing, so as to involve
risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard
side shall keep out of the way of the other.